Eddie Hearn has joked that he is "totally finished" following Dana White's entry into the boxing business alongside Saudi supremo Turki Alsheikh.
The UFC boss and Alsheikh have finally announced their long-rumoured boxing venture together.
The new initiative will be spearheaded by TKO group, which already owns and controls the UFC and WWE.
"Totally finished! Yeah," Hearn told SunSport with his trademark Essex grin when asked about fans goading that boxing's old guard will soon be yesterday's news.
Eddie Hearn has a new rival in boxing - UFC president Dana White
PA
The new boxing venture aims to host "four large scale super-fights" across 2025 and 2026 and also plans to build up-and-coming talent in the sport.
Alsheikh has spent the last two years using his considerable financial resources to transform boxing by funding major fights.
His deep pockets have even convinced rival promoters like Hearn and Frank Warren to collaborate.
"We've loved being involved with Riyadh Season and His Excellency, it's been hugely beneficial for us and the sport and our fighters," Hearn acknowledged.
Despite the joke, Hearn has left the door open to working with White and TKO in the future.
"If it suits us, if it suits our fighters, and if we're asked to be, yeah, definitely consider it," he said.
The Matchroom boss was complimentary about White's entry into boxing.
"I think it's great that Dana White's getting involved with boxing. TKO is a great company, he's a great promoter," Hearn remarked.
He added: "I think it shows you where boxing's at, I don't believe boxing's broken."
Dana White has huge connections in sport, including US President Donald Trump
Reuters
Canelo Alvarez, 34, and Terence Crawford, 37, are rumoured to be fighting in September in Las Vegas.
This super-fight is expected to be promoted by TKO.
With ESPN reportedly not renewing their contract with Bob Arum's Top Rank, TKO could be poised to step in.
"It looks like they've got the ESPN deal from Top Rank which is obviously massive," Hearn observed.
He noted the significance of such a platform: "And that can build stars."
Eddie Hearn complimented Dana White's entry into boxing
PA
Hearn admitted he's been aware of the venture for over six months but remains uncertain about its format.
"I've known about it for probably over six months and kind of waiting for an announcement but don't really know anything about the format of it," he said.
He expressed caution about some of the ambitious claims made.
"I saw some aggressive things said in the press release about one belt and all this kind of stuff but we'll see how it plays out."
